Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Sidequest Corner: The Wrinkles of Kingdom Hearts


If you have no idea why I'm doing this here instead of on Saturdays, you got some reading to do suspiciously new face here at the Cybertavern.

As for everyone else, welcome back to my semi-coherent essays about games and game design. And as the title implies I am here to talk about Kingdom Hearts, the surprisingly lucrative and enduring JRPG franchise brought to us by the biggest name in Japanese RPGs, Square Enix, and the all-consuming force of progressive family friendly values that is the Walt Disney Corporation.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction Chapter 8


Chapter 8: Intentions and Consequences

The following three days went by in a blur. I remember being chastised by Shepard for jeopardizing the galaxy by releasing the rachni queen and getting grilled by him. I was informed later that the rachni somehow got word to the Alliance that the mercy shown to their race would not go unrewarded as they ventured into uncharted regions of space to regain their numbers once again. Apparently they used the body of a salarian as an intermediary. I recall the crew, even Ashley, actually complimenting me for my quick thinking against Benezia and her commandos, saving their lives. Although Jack's idea of gratitude was a punch in the arm and buying me a drink later.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Today in Diversity: Autism in Power Rangers 2017



Don't worry, we'll get to the Samurai Jack review soon but I just want to take this moment to bring up a semi-recurring post that will be recurring here at the Cybertavern.

As I mentioned before, I do lean towards progressive inclusion in all media, mostly from a desire to see interesting, or at the least unconventional creative expression happen in said media. This is a place where anyone can take their mind off of things after all. But sometimes that can lead to tokenism, a piece of crap with one person who identifies as a tree is still a piece of crap after all.

So I like to take this opportunity to bring up some good examples of diversity that has come to my attention recently and whether or not I think it's good representation.

Our singular topic for the day is found in the recently released Saban's Power Rangers directed by Dean Isrealite.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Scheduling Change!

Guess what Cybertavern patrons?

I just got hit with a wave of content to take care of, don't worry it's all good and it's also a reason why Saturday Sidequest wasn't up.

However, I am going to slightly change things around now.

First and foremost I shall be moving my game design grumblings to Wednesday posts.

Why? So Saturdays can be dedicated reviews of the revival of Samurai Jack. It's got its hooks in me so much I need to dedicate my thoughts to each episode...basically once they finish airing.

So consider them.... Saturday/Sunday Animation...Sidequest Deviations?

It's fine! We'll survive! We'll get through this!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Team Trust Exercise Part 2

“Spear maneuver now!” Shepard bellowed over the hail of death raining from our would-be executioners, Jack and I snapping into position throwing up biotic barriers to protect the group.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Animation Deviation: Samurai Jack's Revival


So this past weekend saw the return of a beloved nostalgic animated series. It ran back in the 2000s on Cartoon Network, had and continues to have a staunch dedicated fanbase, and was known for bringing sophisticated and complex storytelling to a medium that more often than not written off as children's fare by the broader community.

And considering Cartoon Network's track record with bringing back critically beloved animated shows from the 2000s for a new audience while paying respect to the original run, they are basically tap dancing barefoot on broken glass while ritualistically peeling off their own skin with a superheated potato peeler in that regard, I was beyond worried about what would become of this series.

And this is after a lot of mollification came my way. The original creator was involved and had a plan for what he wanted to do. Most of his creative team returned, including most of the voice-actors. And the suits overseeing production weren't actually Cartoon Network but the notably more lax and gonzo mature animation branch of Adult Swim.

I am of course talking about the return of Genndy Tartokovsky's Samurai Jack.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction Chapter 6 Part 1


Chapter 6: Team Trust Exercise Part 1


I get the distinct impression that the universe has a sick sense of humor. Within the span of a few hours of a therapy session where I found out that Shepard's crew has some flavor of distrust or disinterest of me, I am now in a fight for my life with that exact same crew being my only lifeline.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

My Guest Spot on Wrong X Button Podcast

A bunch of old shoulders I used to rub with hit me up for a guest spot on their podcast. I humbly obliged!

Fair warning, the podcast has explicit and vulgar language and at least one major outburst by yours truly.

Animation Deviation: International Women's Day Tribute


Guess whose on hardware review detail for the Nintendo Switch? This guy! Don't worry cybertavern patrons you'll still be getting my thoughts in this week's Animation Deviation. But what better way to address International Women's Day than a showcase of some of the most inspiring and awesome ladies in modern animated shows. This is technically not a Top 10 or Top 5... because I said so.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Multiverse Desperado: A JumpChain Fiction Chapter 5



Chapter 5: Disassociation

The first two months or so on the Normandy were rocky as hell. The crew were aggressively skeptical of my presence on the ship. The Normandy wasn't just a top of the line vehicle, the best possible collaboration between humans and turians that helped pioneer some fantastic cloaking technology tailor-made for recon and infiltration, everyone running it were defensive of its secrets from anyone not human; criminals doubly so.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Saturday Sidequest: Nintendo Switch Steals My Day


My Cybertavern patrons I have a serious problem right now. No matter where I went during my busy day, no matter how many appointments I had to attend and no matter what time of day it was, I was never far away from escapism and enjoyment as of Friday.

Trailer Talk: Alien Covenant and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2

Michael Mosley and I discuss the latest trailers for Ridley Scott's Alien Covenant and James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2


Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Animation Deviation: The Boy and The Beast


Well, my cybertavern patrons, we finally come to the last of Mamoru Hosoda's animated films. It's been a real treat looking back at such an under-appreciated creative talent that doesn't get nearly as much love as he deserves. So let's finish this whole thing off with a bang with the martial arts drama, The Boy and The Beast.